It’s a tough thing, living in the home you have on the market.

Having to make sure everything is in tip-top shape all the time; even with a hectic life.

Sellers upset because the market is not that of 2005. Stick a sign in the yard and receive multiple offers.

Gary and I were out previewing homes for 2 different clients today. We looked at over 16 properties.

Want to know what still amazes me? With all the grief the current market gives sellers, there are still some owners out there who have homes that are FILTHY.

I just don’t get it. Someone obviously wants to sell their house when they seek out a professional, have it listed in the MLS, and then have their Realtor put a For Sale sign in the yard, right? I’ve been in Real Estate for some time now, and that’s been the impression I’ve always been under.

So why, when I walked into a few of the homes I was previewing, were they a mess? Some downright dirty and disgusting? These weren’t Bank Owned Foreclosures. They weren’t short/ distress sales. Just everyday folks trying to sell their house-

Cleanliness really does make a difference when someone is looking at your home.

Wipe the counters down. Insist that the kids pick up their clothes. Clean the toothpaste out of the sink.

I can guarantee you you’ll see a better return on your investment if you do just the basics.

WHY SHOULD YOUR HOUSE BE NEAT & TIDY AT ALL TIMES WHEN SELLING:

• Prospective Buyer’s have a hard time looking through your clutter.
• A clean house smells fresh- a plus when a potential buyer walks in.
• Tidy Houses look larger. Clutter makes everything feel smaller and closed in.
• If a Buyer walks into a home that is un-kept, the Buyer is thinking that there are probably hidden problems that they can’t see- The “Did These People Care Enough to Take Care of This Home” thought process.
• Houses that aren’t clean make our job, as Agents trying to possibly sell you property, very uncomfortable.
• Agents are more apt to show homes that are in “Showing Condition”.

So why wouldn’t you? It’s only going to help you in the long run.

If you’d like a FREE list of tips on selling your home, CONTACT US.

Talk soon,

Are you a yard sale junkie? Looking for a trash to treasure moment? Looks like this is the weekend to find your hidden gems!

The Banners are everywhere. Neighbors are gathering the belongings they no longer love, and offering them to to a new loving home- yours!

So put on your walkin’ shoes, grab plenty of h2o (it’s going to be a scorcher this weekend!) and head out!

COMMUNITY YARD SALES

• Bench Depot Neighborhood (Boise)

More than 20 family garage sales in the Bench Depot Neighborhood!
Between N. Latah and Crescent Rim Drive
Friday, Saturday and Sunday -May 16, 17, and 18

Addresses, days, times, and sample items below.

Crescent Rim
3108
3109 (Fri 9-3 & Sat 8:30-2)
3214
3220 (Fri & Sat 8-2-ish) Canning items, frames, pictures, quality bears, yoga, camping, pretties
3701 (entrance off Meadow, Sat 9-?) Furniture, fish tank & supplies, household goods, canopy

Meadow
3405 (Fri & Sat 8 - ?)
3528 (Fri, Sat & Sun 8 – 3) Library of books, power tools, furniture, camping items, household, AC, SS sinks, BBQ, building supplies, bikes, toys, sports items
3615 (Sat 8 -?) Antique brass bed, housewares

Morris Hill
3227 (Sat 8-3) Household items, toys, misc
3301 (Sat & Sun)
3315 (Fri & Sat)
3324 (Sat 8-3) Household items, furniture, misc
3500

North Pacific
500 (Sat 8 ) crafts, jewelry, misc.
512 (Sat 8 ) washing machine, W/D combo, household, misc.
517 (Sun, north of Morris Hill)

Kipling
3314 (Sat)
3302 (Fri only 8-4)
3509 (Fri & Sat 8-2) 100s of rubber stamps, paper, scrap-booking supplies; Games, books, toys, stuffed animals, PS2 w/ games; Wooden bar stools; home-schooling books

Camrose
3313 (?) Oak chairs, firearms / ammo, misc

• Bristol Heights (W Boise)

Located off of Eagle Rd. & Chinden

• Hobble Creek (Boise)

Hobble Creek Subdivision is behind Target in Northwest Boise. Cross streets are Eagle and Chinden.

Has a reputation for having lots of participants and lots of great stuff. Come and see us this Saturday, May 17!

• Valley Forge (Boise)

Neighborhood garage sale Saturday May 17th 8:00am to 3:30pm
4088 Valley Forge Ave, Boise, Idaho
Corner of Valley Forge Ave and Gloucester St.
Normal Yard sale items and Furniture

• Cornerstone (Boise)

Multi-Family, Neighborhood wide garage sale. One entrance off Cloverdale, two off Amity.
Saturday, May 17th, 8 am - 3 pm

• Charter Point (Boise)

SATURDAY FROM 8AM TELL WHENEVER. WE ARE MOVING AND NEED TO GET RID OF ALMOST EVERTHING. COME CHECK OUT WHAT WE HAVE. WE ARE LOCATED IN THE CHARTER POINT COMMUNITY OFF OF LAKE HAZEL BETWEEN 5 MILE AND MAPLE GROVE. FOLLOW OUR YELLOW SIGNS!

• Countryside Estates (Eagle)

More than 20 homes with sales…furniture, pool table, 1998 Jeep Wrangler, 1968 convertable VW Bug, tools, gardening supplies, toys, children’s clothing, decorative pillows, deep freezer, and lots more.

Cross-streets are Ballentyne between old State Street and Floating Feather.
Saturday May 18th 8:00 am - 3:00 pm

• Brookwood (Eagle)

Saturday May 17th starting at 8:00 AM

Subdivision is in Eagle off Eagle Road just north of Floating Feather. Once in the
neighborhood just following the signs!

• Eagle Pointe (Eagle)

Eagle Pointe NEIGHBORHOOD Garage Sale on SATURDAY, May 17 from 9am to 2pm.

Floating Feather to Salishan Ave (3 streets from Hwy 55 across from Lexington Hills). *** Lots of great items! ****Lots of sales! ****

MAP: http://www.mapquest.com/maps/2295+E.+Gleneagle+Dr.++Eagle++ID/

• Island Woods (Eagle)

Eagle Road and Island Woods Drive.

Island Woods Community Garage Sale Saturday May 17, 8 am to 12 pm. Multiple Homes Participating. Furniture, Toys, Clothes, Housewares, Books, Collectibles and so much more.

• Two Rivers (Eagle)

North on Eagle Rd from Chinden, West on Island Woods (into Two Rivers Sub), East on Grand Island, North on Arbor Island Follow the signs… See you there.

• Banbury Meadows (Eagle)

Saturday, May 17th, 8am
Neighborhood Yard sale. Banbury Meadows Subdivision. (On the golf course).
Eagle Rd, North of Chinden. Enter on Oakhampton or Colchester.

• Heritage Commons (Meridian)

Neighborhood Garage Sale in Meridian. Saturday May 17th -8 am. Heritage Commons Subdivision on Locust Grove between Ustick and McMillan.

• Bear Creek (Meridian)

Bear Creek Neighborhood Spring Yard Sale Fri. & Sat. May 16 & 17th . 8am-3pm
Located between Overland & Victory Road off Stoddard Road (west of Meridian Road)We are the neighborhood behind the new LOWES on Overland Road.
Look for Bear Creek City Park & start shopping.The whole subdivision is on sale!

• Birtchstone (Meridian)

Subdivision is on the Northwest corner of Ustick and Black Cat Rd.

• Hunter Pointe (Meridian)

Many homes to shop from, many quality items to choose from! Furniture, Toys, Bikes, Summer Clothing of all sizes, many Name Brands. Electronics, microwaves, quality home decorations, sporting goods, bedding, tools, etc… Come take a look, you’ll be glad you did!!

Saturday all day! Come early for best selection!!!

• Summerfield (Meridian)

Located off Ustick and Locust Grove

• Meridian Greens (Meridian)

MERIDIAN GREENS SUBDIVISION (CORNER OF SE 5TH & OVERLAND)
OUR SUB IS HAVING A COMMUNITY SALE. SATURDAY MAY 17TH.

• Tuscany (Meridian)

Saturday - May 17th - 8AM to 2PM
Please check out Tuscany Subdivision’s annual neighborhood sale.

Tuscany is located two blocks south of Victory Rd. off of Eagle Rd.

Check out www.tuscany-meridian.com for the size of our neighborhood- it is huge. It reaches from Eagle Rd. all the way past Locust Grove! Tuscany’s Village is just off of Victory and Locust Grove.

• Chateau Meadows (Meridian)

Something for everyone!!!!! Begins at 8:00 am!!!

Entrance off of Locust Grove. behind the Fred Meyer. (between Fairview and Ustick)

• Paramount (Meridian)

MULTIPLE FAMILY SALES ALL IN ONE COMMUNITY! SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE! BEGINS AT 7 AM.
ENTRANCE OFF CHINDEN (BETWEEN MERIDIAN & LINDER)
OR
ENTRANCE OFF LINDER (BETWEEN MCMILLAN AND CHINDEN)
HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!!!

• Goldcreek (Kuna)

We’re located in Goldcreek Subdivision off of Deer Flat Rd between School and Ten Mile.

• Schoolhouse (Kuna)

Friday May 16th 9am-3pm, Saturday May 17th 9am-3pm

Kids Clothes Mens and woman clothes Bikes Home decor. The list go’s on. Please visit the School House Sub on Friday and Saturday for a YARD SALE!!!!!!!!

Just come into Kuna and make a left on Swan Falls. Go south over the tracks and make a right on Sunbeam. Next make a left on Jake and as you come up to a 4 way intersection make a right on Playground into School House Sub.

• Hillside (Star)

Neighborhood Yard Sale in Hillsdale Subdivision Saturday May 17, 8am to 3pm. West Deep Canyon Rd off of Highway 16 north of State St (hwy 44).

• Sherwood Meadows (Nampa)

OFF CHERRY LANE BETWEEN FRANKLIN AND IDAHO CENTER ROAD - SHERWOOD MEADOWS SUBDIVISION! LOTS OF GOOD THINGS TO BUY, COME SEE WHAT YOU CAN FIND!

• Houston (Caldwell)

Community Yard Sale in Huston. Take Hwy 55 West and turn rt. on Pride Ln. at the Post Office. Travel approx 1 mile until you see the old Huston Mercantile, turn rt. at the Mercantile and the road loops thru the community.

Over 10 families will be participating. Lots of interesting stuff! Don’t want to miss it!

Have a Fabulous time Yard-Saling!

If you have an upcoming neighborhood/ community event you’d like me to share on the blog, just shoot me an email!

Talk Soon,

Those new jumbo-conforming mortgages, created by Congress to make homes in high-priced areas more affordable, are finally getting cheaper.

Late last week, many lenders slashed their rates by about one-half of a percentage point on jumbo-conforming loans - mortgages between $417,000 and $729,750 that can be guaranteed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

The rate cut makes them nearly as cheap as standard conforming loans below $417,000.On Monday, the rate on a 30-year fixed-rate jumbo-conforming loan with no points was around 6.125 percent compared with 5.875 percent for standard conforming and 6.75 for regular jumbo loans, according to Julian Hebron, a vice president with RPM Mortgage in San Rafael.

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac generally require higher credit scores, better income documentation, larger down payments and lower debt-to-income ratios on loans between $417,000 and $729,750 than on smaller loans.

Housing Market Conditions

Existing-home sales are projected to trend up in 2008, with pending home sales showing a slight near-term rise, according to the latest forecast by the National Association of REALTORS^®. However, a recovery for new-home sales is unlikely before 2009.

Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, said the worst part of the credit crunch has already worked its way through the data. “The unusual mortgage disruptions that peaked in August were clearly seen in lower home sales that were finalized in September and October, so the market was underperforming. Now that mortgage conditions have improved, some postponed activity should turn up in existing-home sales over the next couple of months” Yun said.”

Existing-home sales are likely to total 5.67 million this year, the fifth highest on record.

If you have any questions regarding current interest rates as well as any mortgage related topics, please feel free to contact Cheri.

Cheri Ure
Source Mortgage
Phone: 208.794.0533
Email: cheriu@srcmtg.com
Website: www.srcmtg.com/cheriu

Talk soon,

Aside from real life flesh and blood human beings GOOGLE is my best friend.

I spend a lot of alone-time with Google- it’s a window I always have up on my computer screen.

In a recent post, I told you about STREET VIEW. Googles cool new 360 degree view of homes, neighborhoods, streets etc.

After a quick map lookup today, I stumbled upon “EXPLORE THIS AREA”.

Google now provides a platform for users to add their photo’s of the area, videos that relate to the search, as well as “USER MAPS”.

How Fun! Users can create various maps of the area and post directly to Google. There are maps of the Foothill Trails, parking locations for the trail systems, things and places to do things in Boise +…

Try it for yourself! Go to Googlemaps.com, type in Boise, Id (or any other city you’d like!) and look at the left hand column. Click on EXPLORE THIS AREA and play away!

Make sure to click on the pictures on the map too- we’ve got some pretty talented photographers here!

Happy Googling!

Talk soon,

Here we are again…

Gas Prices continue to skyrocket.  I wonder if my clients would mind riding on the back of my bicycle???  Probably not a good question to ask, eh?

It’s really quite unbelievable how expensive fuel has gotten.

Gary and I are constantly looking at the various prices at the pump- trying to find the best (um, value?)

If anyone knows of a lesser costly station, please Let Us Know!

With that being said, here is today’s gas price update.!

1. SHELL- (Eagle Rd. & Pine)  $3.59
2. FRED MEYER (Fairview & 5 mi.) $3.59
   
3. MAVERIK- (Overland/ Locust Grove) $3.63
4. SHELL- (Goldstone & Eagle Rd.) $3.64

The numbers just go up from here…  Close to $100 bucks to fill up- who would have ever though…

Please note, gas pricing can change. I sure hope the change is, in fact, for the better!

Time to go for a walk now!!!

Talk soon,

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY

Rates on 30-year mortgages remained above 6 percent, edging up to the highest level in seven weeks and reflecting continued financial market concerns about inflation.

Mortgage giant Freddie Mac reported Thursday that 30-year fixed-rate mortgages averaged 6.06 percent this week, up slightly from 6.03 percent last week. It marked the second week that 30-year rates have been above 6 percent and was the highest level since these mortgages averaged 6.13 percent the week of March 16.

Analysts noted the Federal Reserve, which cut a key interest rate on Wednesday, expressed concerns that the uncertainty over whether inflation will moderate remains at a high level.

Housing Market Conditions

As we’ve hammered home the point before, Americans have been scared witless by economists, most with personal agendas, that housing still has a long way to go before it hits bottom. That puts the housing industry in a bad spot.

We’re assuming that buyers are moving to the sidelines because they’re waiting for bargains. But that’s not the reason. They’re so focused on risk, they’re missing out on the rewards.

As a buyer, you get to choose the location, characteristics and price you want to pay. When you sell, you get to take back the equity built, like cashing out a savings account. But the best benefit is that homeownership, unlike no other investment, is heavily subsidized by the U.S. government in tax relief, which more than offsets most if not all equity losses incurred by falling markets.

From inheriting a house to owning a vacation home to selling a house, Uncle Sam and your friendly local taxing authority lay on the benefits of homeowning so thick, that yearly benefits more than make up for temporary losses in equity.

Standard deductions aside, just add up these goodies: mortgage interest payments private mortgage insurance, points paid in purchase and equity loans, property taxes, homestead exemption, capital gains exemptions, and much, much more.

Let’s just take one of those. Let’s say you lost $4,000 in value on your home during the economic turndown. In that same period, you were able to deduct $12,000 in mortgage interest, the bulk of your housepayment. You’re just reduced your taxable income by $8,000. If you’re in the 15 percent bracket, you just saved $1,200. Now let’s pretend you sold a home, and cleared $20,000. You got to keep all of it without paying the 15 percent. You just pocketed $3,000 in capital gains relief.

Are you beginning to get the picture? As a renter, you get nothing. All you’re doing is making your landlord’s house payment for him.

So if you’re waiting to buy, you’re losing money

If you have any questions regarding current interest rates as well as any mortgage related topics, please feel free to contact Cheri.

Cheri Ure
Source Mortgage
Phone: 208.794.0533
Email: cheriu@srcmtg.com
Website: www.srcmtg.com/cheriu

Talk soon,

I’ve always been a fan of googlemaps.com.  I was so fed up with the other map/direction website- it never got directions quite right, and I seemed to always end up in some completely off the beaten path location- nowhere near my planned destination.

And then Google offered mapping services- Most, yes I say most, of the time Google gets it right.  And they’re always adding cool new features.

First the Satellite and Terrain features, and now STREET VIEW.

WHAT IS STREET VIEW

The Street View feature enables users to view 360 degrees of static street-level images. In a Street View enabled area users are able to navigate and zoom to 16x without leaving the image window.

Now, you can enter an address (most Boise, Meridian and Eagle Idaho addresses have the Street Turn View feature- unfortunately, other areas of the Treasure Valley have yet to be taped) and then you can see the featured address (home, business- whatever), as well as click on the arrows/directionals displayed on the center of the street and “cruise” up and down the roads.  Fabulous for checking out neighborhoods, finding landmarks, looking at individual property exteriors etc.!

I absolutely love this, especially as a Realtor preparing to preview homes for my clients!  I can just type in my desired info- and presto, magico!  I’ve got a full view of the home, and the neighborhood.  I usually have a pretty good idea what folks are looking for, and this makes the search that much easier (another reason why Curb Appeal is such a biggy- ugly exterior = big no-no!).

Visit GoogleMaps Street View and check it out for yourself.  Type in your address- it’s always fun seeing your own home!  Cruise the city- maybe you’ll even find a cool new spot for dinner!

Happy googling!

Talk soon,

The past several posts showed us the Current Real Estate Housing Market Data for Boise, Eagle, Meridian and Nampa Idaho for April 2008.

To really get a good picture of what the latest trend is, here are the illustrations for the past 6 month sales in each of the cities.

The information the graphs present is pretty stable. With the exception of Eagle, Idaho, the market had a slight dip in January and February; most likely due to the uncommon winter we experienced. Eagle’s a little bit of a different animal- the price point is quite different than any other in the Valley, and because of the typically higher price tag, homes tend to stay on the market a bit longer- throwing the sales statistics a bit out of whack.

As the warmer months arrive, we are already seeing an increase in monthly sales. In my opinion, we will also see a slight increase in inventory, as this is the typical trend during the Spring and Summer months.

Although the numbers are going to look off during these months, I foresee an increase in the number of buyers whom are going to assist in the “clearing up”, if you will, of the homes available for sale.

NOW is the time to purchase if one is in the position. I’ve spoken with people in the past several months who said they were going to “wait until the market hit the bottom”. Newsflash: You’ll know that the market was at it’s lowest, well- um, after it starts on the upward trend again…

Interest rates are fabulous and there are tremendous values still to be had!

If you have any questions about the information presented in this post, or any general real estate questions we can help you with, please Contact Us.

* Home sales information includes Single Family, Condominiums and Townhomes.

Talk soon,

Current Housing Market Data for Nampa, Idaho- April 2008

Contact Us if you have any questions regarding our findings, or with any of your Real Estate questions.

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Data for Sold Properties in Nampa, Idaho for April 2008 (includes Single Family homes, Condominiums and Townhomes).

Price Range	# Sold	Avg. List Price	Avg. Sale Price	Avg. Days on Market
$0-$100,000	10	$88,890	$80,291	60
$100,001-$200,000	76	$149,621	$146,773	69
$200,001-$300,000	16	$239,474	$236,615	71
$300,001-$400,000	2	$337,400	$326,200	138
$400,001-$500,000	1	$419,000	$402,500	34
$500,001-$600,000	0	0	0	0
$600,001-1 Million	1	$625,000	$605,000	42
1 Million +	0	0	0	0

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Data for Homes Currently Pending Sale in Nampa, Idaho (includes Single Family homes, Condominiums and Townhomes).

Price Range	# Pending Sale	Avg. List Price	Avg. Days on Market
$0-$100,000	16	$83,184	74
$100,001-$200,000	129	$145,981	71
$200,001-$300,000	38	$248,565	82
$300,001-$400,000	10	$351,320	101
$400,001-$500,000	4	$419,471	121
$500,001-$600,000	1	$549,900	6
$600,001-1 Million	1	$649,900	31
1 Million +	0	$0	0

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Data for Homes Currently Listed in Nampa, Idaho (includes Single Family homes, Condominiums and Townhomes).

Price Range	# Listed	Avg. List Price
$0-$100,000	38	$90,002
$100,001-$200,000	851	$155,495
$200,001-$300,000	337	$246,484
$300,001-$400,000	128	$358,640
$400,001-$500,000	54	$458,212
$500,001-$600,000	31	$552,564
$600,001-1 Million	29	$718,375
1 Million +	3	$1,733,333

Click HERE for Boise, Idaho Real Estate Data for April 2008

Click HERE for Meridian, Idaho Real Estate Data for April 2008

Click HERE for Eagle, Idaho Real Estate Data for April 2008

Talk Soon,